OK, I guess that was another big week. I went over to Vancouver on Sunday and hit up a few breweries.

Goodnight Sweet Prince by Twin Sails Brewing

This was one of the best coffee stouts I’ve ever had. It had dark roast coffee flavour with just enough sweetness to offset the bitterness. It also had a hell of a caffeine kick!

Sack Lunch by Twin Sails Brewing

This Sacc Trois pale ale had subtle hop fruitiness with notes of peach, papaya, accompanied by a touch of spice and funk-lite. It was crushable with a dry finish.

Double Infinity (Galaxy) by Superflux Beer Company

This is probably one of the worst beers that Superflux has made, but it’s still one of the best NE DIPAs I’ve tried. It was super smooth and delicious with notes of passionfruit and citrus over a rich malt base. My first can was a little green, but that seemed to have settled down after a couple of weeks.

Like That by Strathcona Beer Company & Superflux Beer Company

This NE IPA was way better than the previous “Like That.” It was far more juicy and had far more tropical fruit flavour.

Genèse by Brasserie Dieu du Ciel!

This apricot triple was deceptively light! It was sweet but not overpowering, with notes of apricot, pear, and black pepper.

This style-defying beer had a nice bit of citrus and tropical fruit with a touch of tartness, a smooth mouthfeel, and a slightly sweet finish. I feel like it would be better without the tartness. Not everything has to be sour Field House…

Depth Charge (2017) by Lighthouse Brewing Company

This Belgian Quad was aged oak aged with cognac. It was full bodied but not heavy with notes of caramel, vanilla, nuts, dried fruit, spices, and oak.

Tuesday Can Conditioned by Burdock

This saison had notes of pineapple, straw, and clove. It was really effervescent from being can-conditioned. I didn’t drink it on a Tuesday though…

Blackberry Jam by Four Winds Brewing

The blackberries in this fruited IPA balanced really nicely against the lupulin. The lactose and vanilla added a touch of sweetness and it finished oh so smoothly.

Oscar by Dageraad Brewing

This Belgian-style pale ale had a spicy and fruity nose. The palate brought spicy phenols and fruity esters notes of pear and clove with a hints of pine and resin from the hops.

Louise by Dageraad Brewing

This Belgian-style blond had subtle notes of grapefruit and tropical fruits, which complemented the fruity yeast esters and balanced the clove-like spicy phenols.

Wet-Hopped Blonde (2017) by Dageraad Brewing

This is one of my favourtie annual fresh hops. You’d think the freshness would fall off during bottle conditioning, but they still lend and nice herbal and resinous quality to this spicy and fruit blonde.

Bah Humbug by Wychwood Brewery

This was a a decent brown ale with some fruity undertones and very light spice. Even drunk at cellar temp the flavours still didn’t come through enough.

Rizzla Rice Lager by Hearthstone Brewery

This was quite interesting. It wasn’t quite as grainy as a regular lager, but just as crisp and refreshing.

Fugli by Oskar Blues Brewery

This fruited IPA had mild notes of tangerine and Blueberries with some earthy undertones. It was nice, but I was hoping for more prominent fruit.

Into the Black Oatmeal Stout by Off The Rail Brewing

Light and smooth with mild roasty notes of coffee and chocolate. However, I found it was a little over-carbonated and thin-bodied.

10th Anniversary Sour Raspberry Nut Brown Ale by Dead Frog Brewery

This beer was a little weird. I like the fact that they tried something different, but it didn’t really work. It was far too bitter and the raspberry tastes medicinal.

Dave Bomb 2.0 by Red Collar Brewing Co.

This was first legitimately good beer I’ve had from Red Collar. The roastiness of the coffee worked well with the fruity esters from the yeast and offset the sweetness really well.

Draught

La Morsure by Le Trou du Diable—at The Drake Eatery

This IPA had tropical fruits, caramel, and pine on the nose. The palate

had fruity and resinous hops, balanced by a sweet malt base. It finished with decent bitterness.

This was a pretty big week. I received a a beer mail with lots of IPAs in it that were getting a little older than I generally like, so I had to work my way through them quickly. It’s a hard life.

Bottles & Cans

Sartori Harvest (2017) by Driftwood Brewery

This much-sought-after fresh-hopped IPA had a floral nose with fresh, piney, woody, and a slightly grassy fresh hop notes over a crackery malt base.

Fresh Hop IPA by Powell Brewery

Grassy, piney, and citrusy fresh hops with a touch of tartness and funk. One of this year’s best fresh-hopped beers.

Singularity (2017) by Driftwood Brewery

I aged this imperial stout for several months. The heat has mellowed a little with aging. Roasty malts dominated the palate, with notes of coffee, toffee, chocolate, and dark fruits. This is aging well!

Wake Up Dead (2016) by Left Hand Brewing Company

I aged this imperial stout for one year. Roasty malts dominated the palate with notes of raisins, black licorice, coffee and dark chocolate. Mild touch of earthy, herbal hops.

Cash Only by Twin Sails Brewing

This double IPA was juicy, hazy, and smooth with notes of orange peel, melon, and pine. It hides its 10.3% well!

Bachelor Pad by Twin Sails Brewing

Hop-forward aromas of pineapple, mango, orange peel, and a touch of dank. Hazy with a very smooth mouthfeel.

Shower Thoughts by Twin Sails Brewing

Tons of blackberry flavour, but it was only very mildly tart from the acidulated malts. Doesn’t finish as sweet as some fruit beers

Back To Basics by Twin Sails Brewing

Basically an IPL, this was crisp and dry with a bright, citrussy hop bite. One of the best lagers I’ve ever had!

Str8 Flexin’ by Twin Sails Brewing

I aged this imperial stout for 6 months. Not as hot and smoother. Roasted malt, with coffee, chocolate, liquorice, and fudge notes. Full bodied and balanced.

Dead Frog Brewery in Aldergrove BC has released a fresh batch of their seasonal Super Fearless imperial IPA.

Super Fearless is a big, bold imperial IPA overflowing with tropical fruit and citrus flavours and aromas. A hearty helping of premium malts and a massive amount of dry hopping results in a juicy, captivating finish that they claim will leave you blown away.

Dead Frog Brewery in Aldergrove BC has released a key lime milkshake IPA called C.R.E.A.M.

C.R.E.A.M. is a hazy golden IPA with flavours of tropical citrus hops, fresh peeled lime zest, and a creamy hint of sweetness. Named after the 5 select hops chosen to complement the fresh lime flavour and crisp malt base.

It is available now at liquor stores in BC and Alberta, or at the brewery.